Cell Phone Suggestions other than iPhone 5?

[Hepar]

Looking for some suggestions on a new phone. I currently have an unlocked AT&T iPhone 4 on T-mobile and am thinking of getting one that actually works on their network. At the moment, since the iPhone I have doesn't, the fastest internet speed I can get is edge.

Tired of the slow speed. I was thinking of getting the 5 since they just started offering them, but figured I'm really not glued to staying with one as a phone if there are better options out there. Always had an iPhone since they came out because they were one of the few phones that synched up to my mac seamlessly and the UI was very easy to navigate.

I really don't need a phone with all the bells and whistles. I use it to text mainly, then talk, work emails and some web browsing. I looked into the Motorola Defy a while back when they offered them and liked that it was resistant to water and dirt, since I'm outdoors so much.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Hepar]

I should also mention that I don't want a phone that is bigger than my current one.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Are you sure it's your phones radio strength and not T-Mobiles service?

 

[Hepar]

Are you sure it's your phones radio strength and not T-Mobiles service?

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it was an AT&T iPhone, so the frequencies they use for data are different, thus the only available band to me when using that phone is edge.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it was an AT&T iPhone, so the frequencies they use for data are different, thus the only available band to me when using that phone is edge.

Ok makes sense now, sorry I don't really have any recommendations for phones. I don't get caught up in the hype, still running an iPhone 4S with jail broken 5.0.1 and happy with it. Probably going to be running this rig for awhile longer too.

 

[Thai]

I should also mention that I don't want a phone that is bigger than my current one.

Well, here is your big problem. You are used to iPhones. You don't want a phone bigger than your iP4. There is no other worthwhile choices out there with your requirement(s). Go with iP5. Simple.

Now, INSTEAD of going with TMo, why not go with Straight Talk? The problem with TMo is that coverage outside big cities is minimal (such as off-roading), certainly far inferior to ATT (and the other major carriers). While TMo may have 4G etc within BIG city limits, it sucks outside it.

So, what you need to do is buy ATT iP5 outright, then get Straight Talk for $40-45/mo. for unlimited everything. ST uses ATT network...so, your coverage is excellent, in or out of city limits. The ONLY thing ST does not have is 4G...but that is OK since you can still use HSPA+ of ATT which is plenty fast for everything that you want to do.

(Do not get Straight Talk with Verizon. Bad idea.)

Now, if you do go with ST and you don't want iPhones or want something cheaper but quality or want to try Android for cheap, then check out Google Nexus 4 (https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb). It looks like your iP4 with the glass panels front and back. It is just bigger...and runs on pure Android.

Good luck.

 

[GentryGoon]

I would give the iPhone 5 a try, if you dont like it just return it. I love mine, the Verizon LTE is incredible. Not sure about AT&T's 4G, but I'm sure it will be worlds better than edge. Battery life is great, and the lightning cable is a nice upgrade (unless you bought lots of iPhone 4 accessories) It's a tad taller but slimmer than your 4.

I tried a RAZR M just to try something other than an iPhone, and I hated it. it was hard to type on(you pretty much have to re-learn how to type) and was extremely difficult to sync music to the micro sd and have it neat and organized on the phones music player. I gave up and re-sold it the next day. I love how organized the iPhone keeps the music library. I also like having an iPhone compatible head unit to charge and play music in the car. Not really any head units out designed to do that with other phones. Also the iPhone 5 is now jailbreakable, so all the limits Apple puts on in, along with many annoying quirks can be modified.

The new Galaxy S 4 has amazing specs, but they just don't offer what I want.

 

[-JD-]

I would agree with the iPhone suggestions. Especially if the "core" apps are most important to you. They are all excellent on iPhone and "just work" without the need to seek out and download more third party software to get your phone working the way u want it.

 

[Thai]

"just work" without the need to seek out and download more third party software to get your phone working the way u want it.

You mean...customization on Android? What does Android (or Windows) need in 3rd party software to make basic stuff work??

 

[Hepar]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I went in today and checked out the other options. The Samsung was way to big for me and so were most of the other options that seemed to be on par with the 5. In the end I stuck with the 5. I'm familiar with it and it synchs up with my mac perfectly.

 

[-JD-]

You mean...customization on Android? What does Android (or Windows) need in 3rd party software to make basic stuff work??

I was thinking mainly of browser performance. To be comparable to safari you would probably want another browser.

edit: I also hear mediocre things about the stock music player.

 

[eddiebx]

I was thinking mainly of browser performance. To be comparable to safari you would probably want another browser.

edit: I also hear mediocre things about the stock music player.

I think you only hear (or choose to hear) mediocre things about android period :lmao:

Chrome is a pretty nice and free browser for android, but it's hard to compare the stock android browsers since every phone manufacturer loads up their android phones with whatever browser they choose.

I have to agree with [MENTION=68039]-JD-[/MENTION] though, from what it sounds like an iphone 5 would fit the bill perfectly since you're really not looking to nerd out on the phone and just use it as a phone.
[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] don't mind JD, he's biased . I've had no problem with using any of my android phones right out of the box. All basic functions will work just fine, it's just a matter of if you want to customize it more to your personal desires. Both iphone and android are bound to have their quirks (which you may or may not like), but both are great phone platforms.

 

[Thai]

I was thinking mainly of browser performance. To be comparable to safari you would probably want another browser.

edit: I also hear mediocre things about the stock music player.

You mean like how 99.9% of iPhone owners have to download Google Maps for proper navigation? :moon: Good job opening yourself on that one JD!

And is CHROME really a 3rd party? It is made by Google.

JD, I am on both sides here...I know both OS very well. Your comment earlier about 3rd party apps allowing Android to "work the way you want" is ridiculous. Of all things that you can criticize Android, THAT is the LAST thing you want to mention. Android is all about customization to the owner's needs/wants/style.

See my Note 2 Review thread...running browser benchmarks, it does show that Chrome on my Note 2 (Exynos 4412) beats iPhone 5 on all benchmarks. So, maybe YOU need to download Chrome on your iPhone 5 to hopefully be comparable with the newest Android. :bounce:

As for music player, not sure about other brands, but I think that Samsung makes the components to iPhone music player or something like that. Anyway, the features on the music player is better than iPhone/iOS...I have equalizer AND the ability to adjust how much bass to add. You can't do that on iOS. The Apple music player is prettier though.

Again, JD, you're not attacking Android smartly. None of what you have mentioned are weaknesses of Android...they are rather the strong points when compared with iOS!!

READ my Note 2 Review thread to learn about the weaknesses of Android...that will help with your understanding of Android...and go from there because right now, you sound like someone who has no clue about Android.

 

[Thai]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I went in today and checked out the other options. The Samsung was way to big for me and so were most of the other options that seemed to be on par with the 5. In the end I stuck with the 5. I'm familiar with it and it synchs up with my mac perfectly.

Yeah, I think that iPhone 5 is your best choice. Great phone. Now, get Straight Talk!!

 

[mikebontoft]

opera mobile or opera mini by far are my favorite browsers. using it now actually.

Glad you guys talked about this though. somehow though I've done my research, I messed up and bought a phone that wouldn't get 4G through Tmobile. I was set to go for their monthly 4g at $30 a month.
I've now looked at straight talk, but something concerns me... they only sell the T-Mobile sims now. does this mean they dropped ATT? can't find a solid answer. If they still allow roaming onto the ATT network then I'll go with them. If it's just gonna stay as T-Mobile all the time, then I'll go with their monthly plan.

It's $30 and a 5gb limit vs $45 and an unknown data limit. I live in the 1900 MHz refarmed area so... yeah.

 

[Thai]

opera mobile or opera mini by far are my favorite browsers. using it now actually.

Glad you guys talked about this though. somehow though I've done my research, I messed up and bought a phone that wouldn't get 4G through Tmobile. I was set to go for their monthly 4g at $30 a month.
I've now looked at straight talk, but something concerns me... they only sell the T-Mobile sims now. does this mean they dropped ATT? can't find a solid answer. If they still allow roaming onto the ATT network then I'll go with them. If it's just gonna stay as T-Mobile all the time, then I'll go with their monthly plan.

It's $30 and a 5gb limit vs $45 and an unknown data limit. I live in the 1900 MHz refarmed area so... yeah.

Look on eBay.

 

[mikebontoft]

Look on eBay.

for the ATT sim card?

 

[Thai]

for the ATT sim card?

I believe that you can buy it.

 

[Thai]

for the ATT sim card?

For example, here is one: New Straight Talk Micro Sim Card for at T Set Up Instructions Included | eBay

 

[-JD-]

You mean like how 99.9% of iPhone owners have to download Google Maps for proper navigation? :moon: Good job opening yourself on that one JD!

And is CHROME really a 3rd party? It is made by Google.

JD, I am on both sides here...I know both OS very well. Your comment earlier about 3rd party apps allowing Android to "work the way you want" is ridiculous. Of all things that you can criticize Android, THAT is the LAST thing you want to mention. Android is all about customization to the owner's needs/wants/style.

See my Note 2 Review thread...running browser benchmarks, it does show that Chrome on my Note 2 (Exynos 4412) beats iPhone 5 on all benchmarks. So, maybe YOU need to download Chrome on your iPhone 5 to hopefully be comparable with the newest Android. :bounce:

As for music player, not sure about other brands, but I think that Samsung makes the components to iPhone music player or something like that. Anyway, the features on the music player is better than iPhone/iOS...I have equalizer AND the ability to adjust how much bass to add. You can't do that on iOS. The Apple music player is prettier though.

Again, JD, you're not attacking Android smartly. None of what you have mentioned are weaknesses of Android...they are rather the strong points when compared with iOS!!

READ my Note 2 Review thread to learn about the weaknesses of Android...that will help with your understanding of Android...and go from there because right now, you sound like someone who has no clue about Android.

Chrome is not a stock app. While the term 3rd party is debatable perhaps i should have said non-stock apps. As far as the music player I am obviously referring to the software, which is not made by Samsung. I'm really not trying to 'attack android' at all. Perhaps saying 'getting things the way you want them' was a poor choice of words, I should have said optimized. To get the best browsing experience you would want to download another browser besides the stock one. Opinions on a music player are a bit more subjective. To me the addition of an EQ slider instead of presets does not make a better player. I'm only basing that on the frequent complaints read online about the stock android music player. I also noticed that google has released a few additional music apps of their own.

I'm not attempting to bash android simply pointing out the the OP that if you want the best 'out of box' experience for core functionality without the need to download additional apps iOS would be the better choice. Obviously if customization and 'tinkering' are your thing than android would be a better choice.

PS- Chrome on iOS wont be faster than safari. You must know that....